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FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
Report of Foreign Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the period 19 June 1999 to 4 August 1999
TELECOM CORPORATION OF NEW ZEALAND LIMITED
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(Translation of registrant's name into English)
Telecom Networks House, North Tower, 66-68 Jervois Quay, Wellington,
New Zealand
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(Address of principal executive offices)
The registrant will file annual reports on Form 20-F
(File No. 1-10798)
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CONTENTS
This report on Form 6-K contains the following:
1. Miscellaneous Media Releases
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1.1 Telecom and EDS Announce Largest Ever New Zealand
Outsourcing Deal, Online Alliance With Microsoft--16 July
1999
1.2 Telecom Chairman to Remain a Director--19 July 1999
1.3 Telecom Customers to Benefit from New Mobile Phone
Technology--4 August 1999
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorised.
TELECOM CORPORATION OF NEW
ZEALAND LIMITED
By /s/ M R Gillespie
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Malcolm Ross Gillespie
Company Secretary
Dated: 5 August 1999
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16 July 1999
MEDIA RELEASE
TELECOM AND EDS ANNOUNCE LARGEST-EVER NEW ZEALAND
OUTSOURCING DEAL, ONLINE ALLIANCE WITH MICROSOFT
Telecom New Zealand today announced that it has entered into a strategic
relationship with global information services company EDS. The relationship
includes a 10-year, $1.5 billion agreement for EDS to supply all of Telecom's IS
services, an equity position by Telecom in EDS (New Zealand), and an agreement
to work together with Microsoft to develop and deliver online solutions to
customers.
"Today's agreement significantly advances Telecom's mission to lead New
Zealanders to exciting new online worlds by accelerating the development of
powerful and innovative online services and solutions both for our own business
and for our customers," Telecom Chief Executive Dr Roderick Deane said.
"Customers will benefit from the combined wealth of telecommunications,
information services and software technologies that the three companies have to
offer," Dr Deane said. "They will be able to literally transform their
businesses."
"The expertise, skills and knowledge we have within Telecom will be complemented
by the international experience and expertise EDS has to offer. The Telecom-EDS-
Microsoft information technology and telecommunications alliance will meet the
full spectrum of IS and telecommunications needs of customers in an increasingly
competitive international marketplace."
Dr Deane said the outsourcing and alliance agreements were the outcome of
detailed and constructive negotiations between Telecom, EDS and Microsoft.
"We were extremely impressed with the calibre of all the companies we have been
in negotiation with over the past year, including strong alternative contender,
IBM. It was a very close decision," Dr Deane said.
"This hallmark agreement brings to the marketplace the advantages of the
convergence of communications and computing technologies and corresponding
services," said Steve Smith, Managing Director, EDS (New Zealand).
"As the IS leader in New Zealand, EDS will be committing significant global
resources and expertise to this relationship.
"We are delighted to be instrumental in bringing Microsoft into the alliance,"
Mr Smith said.
Microsoft New Zealand Managing Director, Geoff Lawrie, said, "We are very
excited about this alliance as it will expedite the convergence of PC and
telecommunications
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technologies for New Zealanders. With the expertise Microsoft has in online
technology and the strength of our commitment to R&D, this agreement with
Telecom and EDS will help create an environment that fosters the growth of
advanced technology in our country.
"Telecom has appointed EDS to supply and manage its IS requirements. This
agreement gives Telecom access to state-of-the-art, innovative IS solutions that
will underpin our business," Dr Deane said.
EDS will manage and operate Telecom's company-wide information systems and
technology delivery, including its enterprise applications, technical
infrastructure and IS assets. EDS will also manage and operate Telecom's billing
and customer information systems.
Approximately 600 staff are involved in managing Telecom's current IS
requirements and EDS is offering to employ all Telecom staff affected by the
outsourcing agreement.
"EDS is delighted to have the opportunity to attract such high calibre
telecommunications professionals - more than half of our 130,000 employees
worldwide have transitioned into the company through alliances such as this,"
said Mr Smith.
"At a time when many IS companies are moving offshore, this alliance will
increase EDS' staff numbers from 1,200 to around 1,800 - reaffirming EDS'
commitment to New Zealand."
"The outsourcing agreement will see the information service needs of Telecom met
by one of the finest IS companies in the world," Dr Deane said.
"In order to bring the same powerful skill sets to our customers as they enter
the online world, Telecom and EDS will work together with Microsoft to deliver
the full spectrum of online solutions to our customers," Dr Deane said.
"This alliance will enable services developed by EDS elsewhere in the world to
be brought to New Zealand. In addition the relationship will be enhanced further
through a strategic alliance with international software giant Microsoft to
develop innovative online services for customers.
"The online alliance will deliver solutions to the government and business
markets with a range of service offerings which leverage the online capabilities
of the three parties," Mr Smith said.
As part of this strategic relationship, Telecom intends to take a significant
shareholding in EDS (New Zealand), subject to completion of due diligence and
satisfaction of other conditions. Telecom will have the option of purchasing up
to 49 percent of EDS (New Zealand) over the next four years and will have
representation on the Board of Directors immediately. Both parties anticipate
that Telecom will exercise those options sooner rather than later.
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"Telecom's investment in EDS is strong evidence of the parties' mutual
commitment to provide Telecom and its customers with state-of-the-art,
innovative solutions going forward. The options allow Telecom to prudently
invest in EDS based on performance and growth," Dr Deane said.
EDS will retain a majority shareholding and operational management control. Both
EDS and Telecom will contribute to strategy and oversight of the company.
"This transaction is designed to support a long-term EDS-Telecom relationship,"
Mr Smith said. "It achieves our key objectives: to align the economic and
strategic incentives of the two corporations, to leverage complementary
strengths and to benefit from the convergence of computing and
telecommunications technologies. The shareholding will result in a stronger IS
company positioned well for the online world of the next millenium."
The New Zealand Stock Exchange Market Surveillance Panel has granted a waiver
from Stock Exchange rules that would otherwise require a shareholders' meeting
to approve the outsourcing, equity and alliance transactions. Shareholder
approval would ordinarily be necessary because Telecom and EDS (New Zealand)
share a common director. However, the Market Surveillance Panel is satisfied in
this instance that this has not compromised the negotiation process between
Telecom and EDS. Accordingly, there will not be a Telecom shareholders' meeting
to approve these transactions.
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19 July 1999
TELECOM CHAIRMAN TO REMAIN A DIRECTOR
Peter Shirtcliffe today confirmed his intention to retire as Chairman of the
Board of Telecom Corporation of New Zealand Limited but said he would remain a
Director.
Mr Shirtcliffe confirmed his 16 February announcement that he would retire as
Chairman at the Annual Meeting on 30 September 1999, adding that he would,
however, remain as a Director of the company. Dr Roderick Deane has accepted the
Board's request to assume the Chairmanship of the Board from 30 September 1999.
Mr Shirtcliffe was a founding Director and Deputy Chairman of Telecom before
being appointed Chairman in 1990.
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4 August 1999
TELECOM CUSTOMERS TO BENEFIT FROM NEW MOBILE
PHONE TECHNOLOGY
Telecom is set to take its mobile phone customers into the new on-line era with
the adoption of the cdmaOne digital technology.
CdmaOne is a patented technology based on the generic radio technology known as
Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA). This multiple access radio technology
offers a high quality digital cellular service and enables high capacity, high-
speed mobile data.
"This decision follows extensive international research on the best options
available, which enabled us to see the technology mature, and to also observe
the deployment of CDMA on a global basis," said Telecom's Network Group General
Manager David Bedford.
"Virtually all cellular technology paths lead to CDMA including GSM. Our
existing digital network provides a high quality voice service, but we need to
ensure that in the future our cellular network meets all the requirements of our
customers, including the need for high-speed, quality mobile data.
"CDMA technology is the choice of a large number of operators in other countries
such as the United States, Canada, China, Japan, and our nearest neighbour
Australia.
"The mobile phone market is growing at a rapid rate and customers are wanting
increasingly sophisticated features. With cdmaOne, Telecom will be able to make
a seamless transition to the Third Generation world of higher data rates and
this will enable Telecom to offer the broadest range of data and voice products
and services to our customers.
"Telecom will continue to support and invest in our existing D-AMPS and analogue
networks, in co-operation with our current cellular supplier Ericsson. This is
an important relationship we intend to retain.
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"Telecom plans to commercially launch cdmaOne in early 2001 and customers will
be migrated onto the cdmaOne network as is convenient to them.
"Meanwhile, customers can be assured that our existing networks will be fully
operational and our CDPD network currently provides the only packet cellular
data service available.
"The transition to CDMA is being designed to be as smooth as possible, by
providing customers with an attractive upgrade path to CDMA. Existing customer
services, including Pre-Paid will be able to be supported on the new network. A
wide range of phones will also be available from world-renowned brands.
"For the provision of CDMA technology, Telecom will be commencing negotiations
with prospective vendors soon.
"CdmaOne will provide Telecom with a platform for strong future growth by
offering a leading and comprehensive range of products and services to equip our
customers for their communication, business and on-line needs well into the 21st
Century."
